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Web site showcases 'all ads, all the time'

Television advertisements are the bane of any couch potato's existence - setting off a Pavlovian response to utilize the awesome power of the remote.

But the Web site, Ad Critic, http://www.adcritic.com, throws out the remote and presents ads digitized for visual consumption on the Web.

From the 1-800-COLLECT pitches to the anti-expressionistic Volkswagen ads, Ad Critic has what they call "a plethora" of ads.

The ads are regularly updated by advertisers and the average Web surfer.

The site serves up the interesting in the ad world and does so in high quality, Quicktime format. Those with a fast connection, like the T1 lines in the dorms, will view the two-megabyte files with ease. Others may have to wait a while.

The ads are rated by the viewers, with an easily-accessible top 10 list.

Part of the reason for Ad Critic is ideological - to display an overlooked media format. According to the site itself, "Advertising is a part of every culture. With 96 percent of households with TVs, and only 92 percent with running water, it's no wonder."

The other reason for Ad Critic's existence is money - the capitalist's best friend. Ad Critic provides services for advertising agencies, like free video encoding of commercials and market research.

Another way they make money is by music sales - Ad Critic links you to Amazon.com where you can purchase songs on CD.

Ad Critic also has non-commercial information, such as news about ads and trailers for movies like "Mission Impossible II."

Diverting from the regular format, there is also an ad that is not an ad - "Wazzzup." This piece by an unknown artist meshes a Budweiser commercial with the "Superfriends."

This results in some interesting dialogue, as follows:

Superman: "Wazzup, B?"

Aquaman: "Watchin' the game, havin' a bud."

Superman: "True, true."

Wazzzup, indeed.